Favourite event: At University in the States, we swim either Long Course metres or Short Course yards. LC I prefer 100m Backstroke, but SC I prefer 200m Backstroke because I’m most successful at them!
Finest ever performance and why: Can I have one LC and one SC? Becoming NCAA Champion in 2007 over 200m Backstroke, was awesome. It means so much to win an NCAA title in America, I even received a fan letter before I came over to the UK for the Olympic Trials. Long course, it has to be my British Record in the 100m Backstroke. Breaking the minute barrier was brilliant and I get my Olympic spot too.
First senior international meet: European Short Course Championships in 2004. I won the silver in the 200m Backstroke
Role models: Ryan Lochte because he is part of our squad in Florida. He is such a talent. Also my mum who battled cancer for two years and passed away last December (07). I really admire her
My aspirations are: To reach the Olympic final in Beijing
Tip for the top: Simply have fun
Life after swimming: Probably go down the psychology route. Maybe sports counselling. I would love to remain involved in sport
Music: Everything except hard metal
If I wasn’t a swimmer I would be a: A pianist. I played quite a lot until swimming began to take over
Football, Cricket or Rugby: Rugby, which my brother plays. Although I am really into American Football and go as often as I can to watch our College team the Florida Gators. You get an amazing atmosphere and it is such a great, social day out.
Describe yourself in three words: Lucky / Happy / Motivated
Would most like to meet: The Queen.
Most prized possession: My watch. It was my mothers
Biggest influence on career: Making the move to Florida. I would of quit swimming had I not gone. Life is so different than before. In 2005, I was out of the water for about a year with illness and had received 11 scholarships offers from Universities in the US, before I got ill. But I got better and accepted Florida. It has been the best decision. I can’t really see myself coming back to the UK to live, I love it some much over there and am really well looked after at the University
Sporting relations: My great uncle was a fencer
